Container washing machine



June 24, 1958 g, s, F ST 2,840,089

CONTAINER WASHING MACHINE Filed Nov. 13, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVE NTOR. 069 M? June 24, 1958 .F. s. FAUST CONTAINER WASHING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 13, 1956 1477' @PII'XT June 24, 1958 F. s. FAUST 2,840,089

CONTAINER WASHING MACHINE I Filed Nov. 13, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 6 W9 My 125 June 24, 1958 F. s. FAUST CONTAINER WASHING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Nov. 13, 1956 IINVENTOR.

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United States Patent Ofiiice 2,840,089 Patented June 24, 1958 CONTAINER WASHING MACHINE Francis S. Faust, Buffalo, N. Y., assignor to R. G. Wright gonipany, Inc., Buffalo, N. Y., 'a corporation of New Application November 13, 1956, Serial No. 621,951

13 Claims. (Cl. 13481) This invention relates to a container washing, rinsing and draining machine and more particularly to such a machine designed to wash, rinse and drain a particular type of pressurized soft drink container, namely, one provided in one end head with a cleanout opening and also with at least one, usually two, nipples each containing a spring loaded valve head seating outwardly against an external end opening and having transverse extensions, such as a pair of bayonet pins, adapted to be secured in bayonet slots provided in fittings used in removing the contents and in charging the contents with carbon dioxide.

One of the principal objects of the present invention is to provide such a container washer which will thoroughly wash, rinse and drain such soft drink containers and in particular will wash the exteriors and interiors of both of the nipples, the valves therein, the tubes leading therefrom and both ends of the interior of the container.

Another important object is to provide such a container washer which is of high capacity and which can readily be charged with the particular containers it is adapted to handle and from which the processed containers can readily be removed.

Another object is to provide such a container washer in which there is littlevalve wear and in which special provision is made to insure against rinse water being .admitted with the wash water and vice versa.

Another object is to provide in such. a machine a plurality of container holders in which the containers are securely and quickly set in the position to make the required attachments to effect the cleaning, rinsing and draining operations.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description and drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a container washing, rinsing and draining machine embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view'thereof.

Fig. 3 is a vertical central sectional view taken generon line 44, Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section generally similar to Fig. 3 but showing the distributing valve and step bearing in section.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical section taken generally on line 6-6, Fig. 5.

Figs. 7, 8 and 9 are fragmentary horizontal sections taken generally on the corresponding lines of Fig. 5.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of the parts particularly illustrated in Fig. 5.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary perspective View of the upper part of the rotary container carrier and in particular illustrating the manner in which the radial partitions, forming the container compartments, can be'removed.

Fig. 12 is' a fragmentary front elevational view of one of the container holders mounted in the rotary carrier and showing the inverted container in broken lines, this view also showing in section oneof the sleeves adapted for attachment to the nipples of the container.

Fig. 13 is a further enlarged fragmentary section through one of the sleeves adapted for attachment to thernipples of the container. 7 V

Fig. 14 is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, of a form of container adapted to be washed, rinsed and drained by the present machine.

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of on of the container holders.

The apparatus forming the subject of the, present invention is designed to wash, rinse and drain containers for a pressurized soft drink from which the soft drink is dispensed under its own pressure. As best'shown in Figs. 12 and 14, this container comprises a cylindrical shell 21 having dome-shaped end heads 22, '23 inserted into the opposite outer ends of the cylindrical shell 21 with their convex sides facing outwardly. The rims of these end heads are secured, preferably by welding, to the interior of the cylindrical shell and the end head22 is imperforate and provides the bottom of the container. The upper end head 23 is provided with an outwardly projecting neck 24 which is insertedand secured, as by welding. This neck forms a large cleanout opening 25 and is adapted to be closed by a sealed cap or cover (not shown) capable of withstanding the internal pressure of the charged soft drink. V

The container 20 is also provided in diametrically opposite sides of its end head '23 with a pair of nipples 26, 26, one nipple 26 being a carbondioxide (charging nipple opening into the upper end of the container and the other nipple 26 being a discharge nipple connecting through a long tube 28 with the bottom of the container. As best shown in Fig. 13 each of these nipples has an outwardly closing valve head 29 which normally seats discharge of the soft drink from one nipple '26 and pressurizing the container from the other nipple '26 as well as washing, rinsing and draining the container as hereinafter described. Each of these nipples 26, 26 is' alsoprovided with a pair of radially projecting opposite pins adapted to cooperate with the bayonet slots of couplings or collars for-the washing, rinsing and draining machine as hereinafter described. p

The machine forming the subject of the present-invention is designed to wash, rinse and drainthe container-s as above described and includes an upstanding cylindrical shell 40 having an opening 41 at one side thereof and having a dome-shaped top wall 42." At one side, the cylindrical shell 40 is continued downwardly in the form of a' semicylin'drical base portion 43, this semicylindr'ical base portion being suitably supported upon legs 44 and the overhanging end of the cylindrical shell 40 beingsupported by a leg 45. The legs'44 and 45 are suitably joined by horizontal bars 46. A vertical sheet metal wall connects the vertical edges of the semicylindrical base portion 43 to extend diametrically across the machine and the upper end of this diametrical wall is continued horizontally to form a shelf 51 enclosing the bottom of that half of the cylindrical shell which overhangs the semicylindrical base portion 43. The lower end of this'diametrical wall is continued horizontallytoprovide a horizontal semicircular bottom 52 for the semicylindrical base portion 43. p In the space below the semicircular shelf 51 is arranged a drive motor 55, this motor being mounted upon the base 56 carried by the base bars 46. Through a reducer 58 this drive motor drives a vertical shaft'59 which extends upwardly along one side of the semi cylindrical shell 40 and is journalled in a pair of bearings 60 fast to this shell. A pinion 61 is fast to the upper end of the shaft 59 and this pinion meshes with a gear 62 suitably journalled on the dome-shaped top 42; of the casing. This gear 62 forms part of a ratchet mechanism and has an upstanding crank pin 63 which is connected bya link 64 with'a roclcarm 65. This rock arm 65 Fig. 3, is journalled on a vertical shaft 66;arranged coaxially of the, cylindricalcasing 40; This yertical shaft 66 is journailed in a bearing 68 provided in-a depending neck 69 secured in the upper end of the dome 42. On this dome around the shaft 66 is also fixed a'hub providedwith a radially outwardly extending annular flange 70 having an annular series ofsix upstanding ratchet teeth 71. Each of these'ratchet teeth "has an abrupt or vertical face 73 which is adapted to be engaged by a dog 74 pivoted, as indicatedat 75, to the rock arm 65. With each rotation of the gear 62, its crank; pin 63, through the link 64, swings the rock arm 65. a sufficient distance so that thedog74 advances the flange 70 one tooth 71.

On the retrograde movement of the gear 62, the dog 74 is moved idly over the inclined face of the next succeeding tooth 71 and is brought into position to engage the abrupt-face 73 thereof.

A detent 78 is provided comprising a bar 79 which is pivoted to the dome-shaped top 42 at 80 to swing about a vertical axis and has an abutment member in the form of a roller 81 riding the rim of the flange 70 which forms the-teeth 71 This roller is adapted to engage one of a series ofnotches 82 provided in the edge of this flange, these notches coming into register with the roller 81 whenthe detent 74 moves to its most advanced position. The end of the bar 79 opposite the roller 81 is springloaded by a, spring 83, this, spring being mounted. on a pin 84 carried"by an L-shaped bracket 85 mounted on the' dome-shaped top;42.

The vertical shaft 66, so rotated step-by-step, each step -being one-sixth of the complete revolution, is supported on a thrust bearing in the form of a ball 86 seated in a conicalseat in the bottom of a vertical bore 88 in which the lower end of the shaft 66 is journalled as best shown in Fig. 5. The bore 88 is in a bracket 89 seated upon the horizontal shelf 51 and projecting beyond the vertical wall 50, this bracket having a depending extension 90 which is bolted tothe vertical wall 50 as indicated at 91. a

A nou-rotatingfollower or valve disk 92 surrounds the vertical shaft66, above the bearing bracket 89 and is urgedmpwardly by an annular: series of: helical compression springs 93 interposed .betweenthe bracket 89 .laudfollower or valve "disk 92 ,as best shown in Figs.

and 7., three being shown. This follower or valve disk 92, as best shown in Figs. 5 and 6, has in its upper facea pair of, arcuate ports or grooves 94 and 95, these being shown as being approximately 30- degrees in extent and being arranged approximately: 180 degreesapart,

. leaving an area 96 which is unprovided'with a'groove or port. To prevent'the liquid supplied from either of the arcuate ports 94 or 95 from contaminating or diluting the liquid supplied from the other 'port, three transverse grooves 98 are provided ,across the upper face of the follower or valve disk, one at each end of each of the ports or grooves 94, 95 so that any liquid escaping from either of'th'ese ports along the flat upper face of the nonrotating valve or follower disk 92 will enter these grooves 98 andescape and cannot join the liquid supplied from the other port or arcuate groove94, 95. The'port 94 is suppliedwith rinse water from a fresh water'supply line 99 extendingfromthe non-rotating follower or valve disk as best shown in Figs. 3, 5 and 8. The port 95 is supplied withwashing solution from a line 100 as also shown in these'figures. The washing solution is preferably supplied through a pump 101 mounted on the base 102 and 4 ing follower or valve disk 92 upwardly into engagement with the lower flat face of an upper rotating valve disk 105 which also surrounds the lower end of the vertical shaft .66 and which rotates with this shaft. The lower face of this upper rotating valve disk 105 is provided with six circular ports 106 arranged in an annular series at uniformly spaced intervals. Each ports connects with a T-fitting 108 each branch of which is in turn connected with a flexible hose or conduit 109. The cleaning solution and rinse water is supplied from the arcuate ports and 94, respectively, through these flexible conduits 109 to the containers being cleaned in a manner hereinafter described. The upper rotating valve disk is provided above the T-fittings 108 with a horizontal outwardly projecting annular flange 110 and is provided above this flange 110 with a second horizontal outwardly projecting flange 111, these flanges forming between them a radially outwardly opening groove 112. This groove receives and supportsthe inner ends of six container holders, indicated generally at 113, each of which is preferably constructed as follows, reference being had particularly to Fig. 15 which'shows one of these container holders in .perspective.-

Each container holder 113 includes a horizontal bar which is V-shaped in plan having legs 114 diverging from a cross part 115, this latter cross part being fitted in the groove 112, as best shown in Figs. 3 and 5. Each divergent leg 114 is in face-to-face contact with the divergent leg 114 of the next succeeding container holder 113, the container holders thereby occupying six quadrants of the washer, each quadrant being adapted to receive one of the containers 20in an inverted position. Intermediate its ends, each pair of divergent legs 114 is connected by a horizontal cross bar 116. To the outer extremity of each of the divergent legs 114 is welded a spacer 118, these spacers being Welded to the opposing vertical face of each pair of these legs 114.

The end of a bar 119 is welded to the face of each spacer 118 and extends thence outwardly from the end of the leg 114 and thence inwardly in opposing relation to the companion bar 119. To the' end of each of the bars 119 is welded a riser 120,-and each companion pair of risers 120 is connected by a cross bar 121. To the inner face of each cross bar 121 is welded a pair of spaced tubular rings 125 having'vertieal oval bores the major cross sectional dimensions of which bores are in the direction of travel of the tubular rings. These rings are arranged to aline with the two nipples 26, 26 of the container 20 when the container is placed inposition on the container holder 113. The container is supported at the end of its cylindrical shell 21 which rests upon the opposing flanges of a pair of angle bars 126' forming a part of each holder 113. The outer ends of these angle bars 126 are welded to the upper extremities of the risers 120 and the inner ends of these angle bars 126 are welded to a transverse angle bar 128. Each transverse angle bar128 connects the inner ends of the rim supporting angle bars 126 and is supported on a pairiof risers 129 the lower-ends'of which are Welded to the cross bar116. w y

The numeral 130 represents a tube" surrounding and rotating with the vertical shaft 66 and having itslower end set into a counterbore 131 in the upper rotating valve disk 105 asbest shown in Fig. 5. This tube extends upwardly along the vertical shaft 66 and terminates short of the upper bearing 68. To this tubeis'welded six radially projecting fins 132 which extend substantially the full height of the tube 130 and terminate at their lower ends against theupper face of the upper rotating valve disk 105. These six fins are equally spaced and each is flanked at its upper end by a small vertical fin 133, these fins 132 and 133 being spaced to receive between them a radialsheet metal rectangular partition 134. The small fin 133 can be welded to the tube 130 and a rivet 135 extends across the space between eaeh pair of fins 132 and 133. The upper end of each of the sheet metal rectangular partitions is provided with an L-shaped slot 136 which extends outwardly from its inner vertical edge 138, and thence upwardly. By inserting the upper slotted corner of a partition 134 between the fins 132 and 133, the slot 136 can be alined with the rivet 135 which per: mits the partition 134 to be moved against thevertical tube 130, then permitting the partition .134 to drop, the rivet 135 entering the vertical part of the L-shaped slot 136. It will accordingly be seen that each partition is then hung upon its rivet 135 and can only be removed by a reverse movement of the'partition, namely, directly upwardly and then outwardly. I

Each partition 134 is arranged in face-toiace relation with the vertical fin 132 and at its lower corner, the opposite side of each partition being arranged in contact with a small fin 140 as best shown in Figs. 3, 5 and 10. In addition, the upper flange 111' of the rotating valve disk 105 is radially slotted, as indicatedat 141, at six equally spaced intervals to receive the lower edges of the partitions 134. The lower inner corner of each partition 134 is also notched, as indicated at 142, so that its inner extremity rests upon the upper face of the rotating valve disk 105 while immediately adjacent to this notch, it enters the corresponding slot 141.

The lower edge of each of these radial partitions or panels 134 is arranged between the corresponding divergent side legs 114 of the corresponding pair of container holders 113, as best shown in Figs. 6 and 10. 'A pair of horizontal angle bars 145 are welded to the opposite sides of each radial partition or panel 134 to provide horizontal flanges 146 which extend under and'support the divergent side legs 114 of the several container holders 113. A pair of small angle brackets 148 are bolted, as indicated at 149, to the opposite sides of each radial partition or panel 134 in position to engage the upper side of the several divergent side legs 114 of the container holders 113.

The radial partitions or panels 134 are also connected toward their inner ends by transverse panels 151} so as to provide a container receiving compartment 151 paneled on three sides and adapted to receive the inverted container 21 to be washed, the other wall of the compartments 151 so formed being provided by the cylindrical shell 41)., The cross partitions 150 are in hexagonal ,arrangeznent with reference to each other and each is provided along its opposite vertical edge with an outwardly projecting flange 152 adapted to, be secured in face-toface relation with the corresponding radial partition 134 by a vertical series of bolts 153.

The outer end of each flexible conduit 109 connects with the lower end of a coupling sleeve 155 which is supported in a corresponding tubular ring 125 and capable of being manually elevated to engage its upper end with a corresponding nipple 26 of the container being processed. For convenience, in so manually manipulating t'nese sleeves 155, each sleeve is provided at its lower end with a cap 156 which enlarges its effective size for convenience in handling. Each sleeve is held in its tubular supporting ring 125 by a ring 158 welded to its upper end and supported on the upper rim of the tubular supporting ring 125. Each sleeve 155 is provided with a blind bore 151 extending from the top end thereof and communicating at its lower end with a transverse bore 163 through which the washing solution or rinse water is supplied to the sleeve. The upper end of this blind bore 159 is threaded and into this threaded end is screwed a screw plug 161 having an upwardly extending pin 162.

A plurality of small bores 163 extend in downwardly converging relation from the upper face of each sleeve 155 into the blind'bore 159. The extremity of each sleeve 155 above its ring 158 is surrounded by an upwardly projecting collar 164 having bayonet slots 165. This upwardly projecting collar 164 is adapted to fit around the corresponding nipple 26 and its bayonet slots these exteriors as well.

165 are adapted to receive the radial pins 35 of :these nipples 26. Preferably, the fit of the collars 164around the nipples 26 is sufficiently loose so that the cleaning solution and rinse water issuing from the downwardly converging bores 163 enters the nipples 26 and passes thence mostly into the container 20. but escape in part around the exteriors of the nipples so as to wash and rinse To permit the wash and rinse water to enter the container, the pin 162 is operative to lift the valve head 29 of the'nipple around which the collar is fitted.

Operation 92, Figs. 5, 8, l0 and 12. This lower non-rotating valve disk is biased upwardly by the three helical compression springs 93, Figs. 5 and 7, so that its flat upper surface is in sealed contact with the flat under surface of the upper rotating valve disk 165' and so that as these arcuate ports 94 and progressively encounter the six circular ports 166 in the underface of the upper rotating valve' ring 165, Fig. 9., to respectively supply rinse water and washing solution to these ports 106. An important feature of the invention resides in the provision of the grooves )8 in the upper face of the lower non-rotating valve disk 92. By the provision of these grooves, any washing solution seeping along between the opposing faces of the valve disks 92 and drains out through these grooves and cannot enter and contaminate the rinse water being supplied through the arcuate port 94. Conversely, any rinse water seeping from the arcuate port 94 between these contacting valve faces cannot enter and dilute the washing solution being supplied through the arcuate port 95.

The motor 55, Fig. 1, is in operation and through the gear reducer 58 turns the vertical drive shaft 59, pinion 61 and gear 62 on the top of the washer. The crank pin 63, Figs. 1 and 2, of this gear 62 reciprocates the link or pitman 64 on each revolution of the gear 62. This oscillates the rock arm 65 journalled on the upper end of the vertical shaft 66. The dog 74, on each such oscillation of the rock arm 65, engages the abrupt face 73 of the corresponding tooth 71 and advances the annular flange 70, on which these teeth 71 are formed, onesixth of a revolution, and then returns to re-engage the abrupt face 73 of the next succeeding tooth 71. The annular flange '70 is fast to the vertical shaft 66, Fig. 3, and hence a step-by-step rotative movement is imparted to this shaft 66, this shaft rotating a sixth of a revolution for each rotation of the gear 62. The detent 78 on the top 42 of the casing 40, engageable with the six notches 82 in the sides of the annular flange 70 prevents retrograde movement of the shaft 66 as the dog is retracted to so engage the abrupt face of the next succeeding tooth.

The six wedge-shaped holders 113 for the containers 21; are fitted between and supported by the upper and lower radially extending annular flanges 111, of the rotating valve disk 105 so that these holders are radi- 1 ally arranged with respect to the vertical shaft 66 and flanges 146 of angle bars secured along the lower tainer.

17 edges of the partitions 134 (Fig. 6), and held down on these flanges 146 by theangle brackets 148. These .radial partitions 134 also carry the back cross partitions .the charging and unloading opening 41 in the cylindrical enclosing shell 40 of the machine.

During this .idle period .in the rotation of the central vertical shaft 66 andthe holders 11 3.for the containers, the operator loads acontainer upon the container holder 113 in line with the'opening 41 and makes the necessary connections forinjecting washing solution and rinse water into the container. The operator places the container 20 in an inverted position with the rim of the upper end. of its cylindrical shell 21 resting upon the horizontal flanges of the corresponding pair'of radially extending angle irons 126.. The rearward movement of thecontainer 20 ,so placed is limited by the transverse angleiron 128 and the container 20 placed so that its two nipples 26 are toward the outside and hence are in vertical alinernent with the pair of sleeves 164 supported in the tubular supporting rings 125. The operator then seizes-the enlarged caps 156 at the lower ends of these sleeves and lifts them 'so as to cause the collars 164 to embrace the lower ends of the nipples. 26. Upon engagement of the bayonet pins with the upper ends of the collars 164, the operator turns the sleeves 155 until the bayonet slots 165 interengage with the bayonet pins 35 to secure the pair of sleeves155 tothe nipples 26. At the same time the center pins 162 of'the sleeves 155 engage and lift the valve head 29 of the nipple 26 .so that washing solution or rinse .water emerging from the downwardly converging bores 163 enter the nipples 26 and pass thence into the container 20.

At this time the port 106 associated with the container holder 113 in line with the, charging and discharging opening 41 is opposed by the unported third 96 of the upper face of the lower stationary valve disk 92. Accordingly, duringthis period neither washing solution nor rinse water is being supplied to the pair of sleeves 155 which the operator is so attaching to the nipples 26.-

As the central verticalshaft 66 and the container holders 113 supported thereby continue to advance, the compartment 151 so charged with a container 20 moves beyond the charging opening 41, and the circular port 106 associated with this compartment comes in contact with the arcuate port 95 through which washing solution is supplied. Accordingly, washing solution is supplied from its arcuate port 95 to its corresponding opposing circular port 106 and thence through the corresponding T-fitting 108 and a pair of flexible conduits 109 to the lower. ends of the blind bores 159 of the twosleeves 155 just fitted to the nipples 26 of a container 20 as above described. Accordingly, wash water flows up through each pair of sleeves 155 emerging from the downwardly converging bores 163 thereof and flowing past the valve head 29 now held open by the corresponding pin 162. The washing solution entering one nipple 26 flows up the internal tube 28 of the container 20 and hence is discharged against the now inverted bottom of the con- 26 flows into the now inverted top of the container.

Accordingly, the container is supplied at opposite ends with separate streams of washing solution which can be projected. in a large amount and at high velocity so as to thoroughly wash the entire interior of the container. The wash water passes out through the open neck 24 of the container and flows down to the base of the machine. Apart of the washing solution also escapes around the exteriors of the nipples 26 to wash the same.

The washing solution entering the other nipple During each. idle interval caused by the overhead ratchet mechanism, an unwashed container is being supplied to the compartment 151which .is exposed to or in register with the opening 41 so that during each rotation of the central vertical shaft 66 and the container holders 113,.the washingmachine is charged with six unwashed containers 20. Before the insertion of an unwashed container, a washed container is removed from themachine as. hereinafter described.

As the vertical central shaft 66 and the container holders continues their step-by-step advance, the circular port littiassociated with the container under consideration passes out of register with the .arcuate port 95 through Which;washing solution is appliedandpasses over a drain groove 98 so that any washing solution contained within and above this circular port 106 is drained. The con- .tinued ,movementof the upper rotating valve disk 105 then brings this circular port 106 into register with the arcuate port 94 of the lower non-rotating valve disk 92 and through which arcuate port 94 rinse water is supplied. Accordingly, rinse water is now supplied from the arcuate port 94 to the circular port 106 under consideration and thence through the corresponding T-fitting 108 and pair of flexible conduits 109 to the corresponding pair of sleeves 155. The rinse water entering the lower ends of the bores of these sleeves 155 flows upwardly and out through the downwardly diverging bores 163thereof and thence past the valve heads 29 of the nipples 26, these valve members now being held open by the pins 162. The rinse water entering one nipple 26 flows upwardly through the pipe 28 and thence discharges against the inverted bottom of the container 20. The rinse water entering the other nipple 26 flows directly into the bottom of the container. Thorough rinsing results, the rinse water flowing out through the open neck 24 of the container and draining to the bottom of the machine. A

part of the rinse water escapes around the exteriors of the nipples 26 to wash these exteriors.

While the circular port 106 under consideration is traversing the unported third 96 of the upper face of the lower stationary valve disk 92, neither rinse water nor washing solution is being supplied to the container 20. Accordingly, this provides a draining period during which the rinse water drains from the. container.

When the drained container is brought into register with the charging and discharging opening 41 of the cylindrical shell 40, the operator seizes the two caps 156 and turns them in the proper direction to permit of disengagement of the bayonet slots 165 from the bayonet pins 35 of the corresponding pair of nipples 26. The operator can then pull the sleeves 155 downwardly so as to completely disengage them from the pair of nipples 26. The

pair of sleeves 155 is now supported through the rings 158 on the tubular supporting rings ready to be applied to the next unwashed container. At this time neither rinse water nor washing solution is being discharged from the sleeves because the companion circular port 106 is in register with the Hat unported portion 96 of the upper face. of the non-rotating valve disk 92. The operator is then free to remove the washed, rinsed and drained container 20 through the charging and discharging opening 41. The machine is then in the condition assumed at the start of this description of the operation and ready for a repetition of the cycle as above described.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the container holder 113.is particularly adapted to conveniently receive each container 20 in position to have its nipples 26 in line with the tubular supporting rings 125 so that the corresponding pair of sleeves 155 can be quickly lifted and given the necessary partial turn to securely interengage their bayonet slots with the bayonet pins 35 of the nipples. It will further be seen that on continued step-bystep movement of the shaft 66, first washing and then rinsing water is progressively forced through the nipples 26 of each container so as to wash and rinse the interiors of these nipples and containers as well as the interior and exterior of the two tubes 28 and nipples 26. It will further be seen that the distributing valve is so constructed that there is no danger of wash water contaminating the rinse water, and vice versa.

I claim:

1. In apparatus for washing, rinsing and draining containers having one end head provided with a cleanout opening and with at least one outwardly projecting nipple having a spring loaded valve head seating outwardly against an external end opening and having means adapted to anchor a fitting applied to said nipple, comprising a casing, a rotary carrier arranged in said casing to rotate about a central vertical axis and including an annular peripheral series of container holders each adapted to support one of said containers with said one end head at the bottom, a tubular ring fast to each of said container holders and having a vertical bore arranged to aline with the nipple of the container so supported, a vertical sleeve loosely arranged in said tubular ring and slidable vertically therein, said sleeve being adapted to fit against said nipple and having means arranged to attach to said anchor means to said nipple and having means arranged to engage and unseat said valve head, a flexible conduit leading to each sleeve, and valve means actuated in response to the movement of said carrier and successively supplying rinse and wash water to said flexible conduit.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said vertical bore of said vertical tubular ring is oval in cross section to be horizontally elongated in the direction of movement of said tubular ring about the axis of said carrier.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein each sleeve has an external enlargement at its upper end of larger diameter than said vertical bore of its tubular ring and by which each sleeve is suspended from said tubular ring when inoperative.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said sleev includes a collar projecting upwardly from its upper end into mating relation with said nipple, and wherein said collar is provided with a slot receiving said anchor means of said nipple.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said slot and anchor means provide a bayonetjoint between said nipple and collar.

6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means arranged to engage and insert said valve head comprises a pin projecting axially from the upper end of said sleeve.

7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means arranged to engage and unseat said valve head comprises a pin having a threaded shank screwed in the end of said sleeve to project axially upwardly therefrom, and wherein said end of said sleeve is provided with a plurality of passages surrounding said pin and through which 10 the Wash and rinse water is discharged past the unseated valve head.

8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said holder includes radially extending rails arranged at a higher elevation than said tubular ring and arranged to support the opposite sides of the container being washed and rinsed.

9. Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein a cross rail connects said radially extending rails and limits the inward movement of the container.

10. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said valve means comprises a non-rotating valve disk arranged coaxially of said carrier and has a generally horizontal first valve face provided with a pair of ports, means supplying rinse and wash water, respectively, to said ports, a companion rotary valve disk having a generally horizontal second valve face in contact with saidfirst valve face and provided with ports severally connected with said flexible conduits and arranged to register successively with the ports of said first valve face, and grooves provided in said first valve face across the space between its ports and open at their ends to the atmosphere whereby leakage of Wash water along said valve faces drains away and does not join the rinse water and vice versa.

11. Apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein said valve disks are yieldingly biased toward each other.

12. In apparatus for washing, rinsing and draining containers having one end head provided with a cleanout opening and with at least one outwardly projecting nipple, comprising a casing, a rotary carrier arranged in said casing to rotate about a central vertical axis and including an annular peripheral series of container holders each adapted to support one of said containers with said one end head at the bottom, a sleeve loosely supported by each of said holders in position to be engaged with a corresponding nipple, means arranged to fasten each sleeve to a corresponding nipple, a flexible conduit leading to each sleeve, a non-rotating valve disk arranged coaxially of said carrier and having a generally horizontal first valve face provided with a pair of ports, means supplying rinse and wash water, respectively, to said ports, a companion rotary valve disk having a generally horizontal second valve face in contact with said first valve face and provided with ports severally connected with said flexible conduits and arranged to register successively with the ports of said first valve face, and grooves provided in said first valve'face across the space between its ports and open at their ends to the atmosphere whereby leakage of wash water along said valve faces drains away and does not join the rinse water and vice versa.

13. Apparatus as set forth'in claim 9 wherein said valve disks are yieldingly biased toward each other.

No references cited. 

